Sonar choice and mounting

If you expect to do much trolling, I suggest that you mount your fish finder on the same side of your kayak as the tip of your rod, so you can monitor the fish finder and the tip of your rod without constantly turning your head from one side to the other.  If you like to land fish on the right side of your kayak, consider mounting a rod holder for a trolling rod someplace in front of you at right angles to your kayak, with the tip pointing to the right.  Then mount the fish finder on the right side of your kayak, close enough to you so you can see the screen easily and operate its controls without stretching forward too much.  If you do this, you'll be able to monitor the tip of your rod for strikes and the screen of your fish finder without moving your head.

When choosing a fish finder mount, I suggest that you look for a mount which can be removed from the gunwale of your kayak when you're transporting the kayak, to protect the mount from wind, rain, and being banged on your roof rack and other things and possibly broken.  I have gear tracks on the gunwales of my Revolution, and mount my fish finder on a Scotty Gear Head and universal sounder mount.  I have a short section of gear track in the cockpit of my kayak, and before I transport my kayak I move my fish finder base into the cockpit and cover it with a nylon stuff sack.  Put dielectric grease on the contacts of your fish finder to protect them from corrosion.  It's available at automotive stores.

Another question is whether to go basic and cheap, or to spend a little more money for a better fish finder.  If you go cheap, after a couple of months you may wish that you had spent a little more money for a more satisfactory fish finder.  What features you need in a fish finder depends on the kind of fishing you expect to be doing.  You might consider upgrading to a medium-priced fish finder with a color screen which is big enough to view easily, basic sonar, and GPS.

To give you a better idea of what I'm suggesting, here are a couple of picture of how I've set up my kayak.



My rod holder is mounted far enough back so my left toe doesn't hit it on the backstroke when pedaling.  I try to avoid raising my rod holders on extenders because they put more stress on the base of your rod holder.

Wow looks awesome! I've was leaning towards a more basic sonar unit w/o color or GPS due to budget and I'm told the battery life tends to be better. I really like your set up. Where did you pick up the tracks? I'm assuming that allows for some adjustability forward and aft? I haven't trolled with my outback yet but I guess the forward rod holders don't cut it? How do the sonar units hold up to saltwater? I figure that thing will get sprayed during use. I intend to fish halibut, rockfish, and salmon. Thanks!

Ok those pics help but how did you mount the transducer ? I have searched a lot of threads and am having trouble figuring this aspect out. A suction cup over the side or do I have to drill through the bottom ?

I've done and recommend this method:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=4506.0

I've done and recommend this method:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=4506.0

I know the question has probably been asked, but, will a transducer from lowrance for a elite 4 or 5 work thru the hull, any effect on the signal?
thanks

it works work just fine. some say it could very minimally affect the temp reading and/or top several feet of the water column but i haven't noticed that at all.

Ok those pics help but how did you mount the transducer ? I have searched a lot of threads and am having trouble figuring this aspect out. A suction cup over the side or do I have to drill through the bottom ?

My transducer is mounted in the covered transducer pocket in the bottom of my Revolution.

it works work just fine. some say it could very minimally affect the temp reading and/or top several feet of the water column but i haven't noticed that at all.

Thanks, planning on installing one in the next couple of weeks, yak doing great.
John

Great! Hope you get some springer blood on it soon

If you plan on using it in the salt, go with a Garmin. Keep the Humminbirds in freshwater. As far as sides to mount it on, your plan is correct. Definitely mount it on the side opposite of your rod. You only need to glance at your sonar, not stare at it. It only gets in the way with big fish if your rod and sonar are on the same side. Also, mount it close to you because you probably won't get a color sonar for around $100, and you will constantly have to have your hand over it when bright out. My opinion would be to spend $150-$200 and get a color Garmin or even Lowrance.
As far as mounting the transducer, you could mount it to a PVC rig that extends into the water. That way it just detaches quickly, and you don't need to get your hands wet messing with a suction cup mounted transducer.

I've had my humminbird in the salt for over 4 years and it's still kicking strong.  It's black and white, and I've never had trouble seeing it in the sun. 

My wife had a Lowrance mark 4 that died after a year in the salt (to Lowrance's credit, they sent a replacement immediately). 

I also owned an Eagle Cuda (Lowrance's budget brand) and it was a piece of junk, but it was only $99, so I didn't expect it to be that great.

CDAT - if you're feeling lazy, you could use that side-mount (the cutting board/track contraption) I left you for the transducer in the meantime. Ain't the prettiest, but always worked fine for me. Just screw in the transducer to the bottom hole in the track, then velcro/whatever to the piece of cutting board on the slidetrax rail.

CDAT - if you're feeling lazy, you could use that side-mount (the cutting board/track contraption) I left you for the transducer in the meantime. Ain't the prettiest, but always worked fine for me. Just screw in the transducer to the bottom hole in the track, then velcro/whatever to the piece of cutting board on the slidetrax rail.

I still have that, and my use it, just exploring my options. I watched  the video about running the cable up thru a water seal to the fish finder, going thru the hull with the transducer would allow me to keep the power supply, the puck, and all the wiring in a watertight compartment. Also keeps all the cables out of the way, will see what happens. Still saving for the fish finder so have a few weeks to go. Planning on heading out of Willamette park in a couple of hours and doing some flatlining, or at least trying to, still have much to learn, nice thing is, I have fun just being out on the water.
John

I've had my humminbird in the salt for over 4 years and it's still kicking strong.  It's black and white, and I've never had trouble seeing it in the sun. 

My wife had a Lowrance mark 4 that died after a year in the salt (to Lowrance's credit, they sent a replacement immediately). 

I also owned an Eagle Cuda (Lowrance's budget brand) and it was a piece of junk, but it was only $99, so I didn't expect it to be that great.

A hundred dollar Lowrance is nothing I would put in the water either I am not trying to hate on Humminbird, but if you get one for saltwater, they are fine as far as durability and dependability goes (definitely better than Lowrance), but as far as the actual sonar part, they are junk. It is why you never see Humminbird radars on boats.

I am a Lowrance guy, but if you are looking for a cheaper salty unit get a Garmin and preferably color. (301dv would be a start)